TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Most conversations about top-ranked Notre Dame begin and end with a defense that leads the nation in fewest points allowed (10.33 per game). Alabama ranks second (10.69).

Do the Fighting Irish even have an offense?

“They do have an offense," Alabama senior defensive end Damion Square confirmed with a grin. "Every team has an offense. Their offense is good. They do what they do well."

In fact, Square believes the two offenses that will be showcased on Jan. 7 in the BCS Championship Game are comparable. The Crimson Tide is averaging 38.46 points per game, nearly 12 more per game than the Fighting Irish (26.75).

"It’s sort of like our offense," Square said of Notre Dame's attack. "They don’t do a lot of things, but the things they do, they do well. They are very disciplined in blocking different fronts, creating different formations from other formations so that you can’t get your personnel in and things like that."

"They are a team that believes," he said. "Whenever you play against a team that believes, you can never put them out. You can never quit on them. You can never beat them in three quarters. You have to beat them in four quarters.

"We understand what we’ve going up against. No matter the outcome of the game, no matter the outcome of the first half, we understand it is Notre Dame, a big-time sports program that has pride like we have that is going to play for four quarters. We’re ready.”

Redshirt freshman quarterback Everett Golson is effective as a runner as well as a passer. Some scrambling quarterbacks have given Alabama problems this season.

“That gives every defense a problem," Square said. "He’s a dual threat quarterback. He’s different. You have to prepare a little different for them. He extends plays and makes plays for his team.

"You just have to focus on it, chase the ball at practice, wrap up, make tackles. The problem comes from a guy getting in the backfield and not getting the guy on the ground when he is supposed to. You have to rush the guy, be disciplined as a team, as a unit, not be selfish as a player, get the guy on the ground.”